Opinion

After 27 games, a great deal of expectation and very few disappointments, it all comes down to this. Well, sort of.

There’s a hope Hull KR will win promotion this afternoon but there’s still the small matter of Warrington getting the job done themselves first. I expect them to do that against a Leigh team resigned to the Million Pound Game, so the question is, can KR secure a top-flight return against Widnes?

I was there in 2006 when they beat the Vikings to be elevated to the top flight and there’s a similar feeling to today’s game. A season of expectation has built to an exciting crescendo and while KR still have another bite of the cherry next week, there’s a sense they’ll finish the job off today.

With Danny Walker proving a real find for Widnes off the bench at hooker, Lloyd White can also bring damage to the KR side. Proving this was his try from acting-half in last week’s win over Leigh, with the Centurions caught off-guard at the play-the-ball.

Lunt needs to pull out another massive performance on home soil to help his side overcome Denis Betts’ men.

Adam Quinlan v Corey Thompson

Making his return to the KR line-up for his first Qualifiers appearance in the 30-18 win over Featherstone, Quinlan slotted straight in at full-back. The Australian has had it tough through injury in his debut campaign for Rovers but is a big-game player with experience at the top level.

The Robins require an astute showing at the back from Quinlan, who won’t know his opponent for certain until game-day. Rhys Hanbury is all-but ruled out with a groin injury, and Danny Craven is struggling with a knee problem.

Corey Thompson, departing for NRL outfit Wests Tigers at the end of the campaign, looks set to keep his place at number one. Both players have different attributes and strengths so expect a real coming-together of talents at the back.

Justin Carney v Ryan Ince

On paper, this is something of a mismatch. Justin Carney, who has added considerable size to Rovers’ left-wing and is a top-flight standard player, may come up against youngster Ryan Ince today.

Scoring six tries in nine appearances, Ince’s record is good when he’s featured under Denis Betts, but the 20-year-old hasn’t played since mid-July. Meanwhile, Carney has turned out in all four of KR’s Qualifiers victories so far, but remains without a four-pointer.

Hopefully that could change at the weekend against Widnes, with Ince having a job on his hands to keep the powerful wing-man away from the whitewash. This is where the game could come down to.

Team news

Jordan Abdull has returned to the Hull KR squad for the visit of Widnes Vikings.

Abdull, who made his return for the reserves last week following a long spell on the sidelines with a foot injury is the only new face in the squad from last week, with Robbie Mulhern the one to make way.

Rovers face a potentially pivotal game in their season with a chance for promotion should they win and Warrington Wolves overcome Leigh Centurions, also played Saturday afternoon. Widnes meanwhile have injury problems and will be without Rhys Hanbury and Danny Craven for the game.